Hampshire police urge residents to ‘ACT’ on terrorism suspicions

Police have ruled out any connection between the murder of Dennis and Sheila Jefferson at their home in Chidham at the weekend and the murder of Valerie Graves in 2013.

Mrs Graves was found beaten to death with a hammer in Bosham on December 30, 2013, while Mr and Mrs Jefferson were found to have died just four miles away from head and neck injuries before their house was set alight, according to police.

Despite the apparent similarities, a Sussex Police spokesman said: “We are making absolutely no connection between the two incidents.”

The spokesman refused to comment on whether the similarities between the two alleged murders might prompt police to link the two murders, adding: “They are being treated as two separate incidents.”

Sussex Police later released the following statement: “We are obviously mindful of the murder in Bosham, however at this stage there is no information which links the two incidents.”

Residents on the Maybush Drive have reacted with shock at the double killing.